Pioneering Evening Support Service In Need of Funding

A pioneering Evening Support service in Falkirk, known to have made a life changing impact on those who attended, is to come to an end due to lack of funding.

Scotland’s leading care and housing provider, Bield, has been running the service at its Thornhill Court day care development every Tuesday and Wednesday evening for 18 months, offering an opportunity for older people to get out and about while giving their carers valuable respite time.

Staff at Thornhill Court are now planning an event to showcase the benefits the service has provided with a view to attracting a new funder.

Offering a mix of day outings, games evenings and even trips to the local chip shop, the service – currently funded by the Falkirk Change Partnership Innovation Fund – has proven to be incredibly beneficial, allowing those who use the service the chance to meet and build friendships with others while doing something they enjoy and are no longer able to do without support.

Tenants have enjoyed trips to well known landmarks such as the Kelpies and Andy Murray’s golden post box in Dunblane which they had only previously seen on the television.

Keen to acknowledge the roaring success of the past 18 months, Thornhill Court is hosting an Open Evening for people to come along and learn more of the evening support service and to hear from users who will speak about the significant, and in many cases, life altering impact of the service, in the hope it will help to identify new investment or funding opportunities.

Angie Shanks, Resource Manager at Thornhill Court, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the incredible success of the service here at Thornhill Court.

“For many, it has been a wonderful opportunity, not only because it has allowed carers a short respite as their loved ones attend the service, but those using the service have had the opportunity to meet new people and for many, wonderful and strong friendships have developed.

“What we like to do is use a person centred approach to match the interests of those who use the service to the kinds of activities we provide. That way, we can ensure that we are doing something that service users will enjoy and have a connection with.

“The service also enables and empowers older people to remain part of the local community by visiting local attractions and venues and meeting up with people of various generations in local pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas.

“We are incredibly grateful to our current funder, Falkirk Change Partnership Innovation Fund, for all they have done for us and we would like to thank them for making this service possible.

“It is a real shame that we have not yet found funding to keep the service going, though we remain hopeful that we can find a solution to ensure that the service can start back up again.”

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Private: Vickie Henry

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